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Proper hair care is not just about looks. While we all have our individual hair routines and treatment rituals that we use to ensure a good hair day and keep frizz at bay, taking care of your hair is also important to ensuring your locks stay healthy. Using the right hair oils, conditioning treatments and shampoo for your specific hair type will make your hair look its best and keep it properly nourished. But taking care of your hair is not just about what you should do – it’s also about avoiding habits that can cause harm to your hair and scalp.
Most people believe that the worst mistake they can make with their hair is causing damage from hot tools such as blow dryers or flat irons, but this is not the case. There is actually an even more simple mistake that so many people don’t even realize causes damage.
“While excessive heat (blow drying, flat ironing), chemical hair dyes, and poor diet can all be causes for damage to hair, the most common mistake people make that causes damage is not protecting their scalp and hair from the sun,” Dr. Christine Shaver of Bernstein Medical Center for Hair Restoration told SheFinds. “Long-term sun exposure leads to changes in the scalp and hair follicles and results in dry, lusterless, less manageable hair. What’s more, sunburns also lead to skin cancer, which can be tricky to find on the scalp when hidden among hair.
Dr. Shaver said that the best way to avoid damage to your hair from sun exposure is to be sure you protect your scalp, particularly on sunny days. “One way to avoid this is by protecting your scalp and hair when outside,” she said. “Use hats, umbrellas, or sunscreen of SPF 30+ to protect you from the sun’s damaging rays. It is also important to have regular mole checks with your dermatologist and be wary of skin cancers that may exist on your head that are hidden within hair.”
If you’re concerned about putting sunscreen into your hair, you’re not alone. There are many products made with SPF that are intended just for your hair and scalp that can provide sufficient protection. You can find SPF in many hair mists, hair sprays and hair primers to keep your head safe.
